"Stopping Harper" - article from National Post
macksamillion
Posted: December 30, 2009, 3:15 PM by NP Editor
So the political twitter/blog world is all a buzz today with the word Stephen Harper --
surprise surprise -- will prorogue parliament until March.
Officially this allows him to reconstitute Senate committees with a Conservative majority
following the appointments he will make in a few days, giving his party its first majority
in the upper chamber since Brian Mulroney stacked it full of Conservatives to ram through
the GST. Of course, as a happy not-so-side benefit, he also takes some of the heat off his
government on issues such as the torture of Afghan detainees, why his government seems to
have mislead Parliament and Canadians on what they knew and when, and how someone as
staggeringly incompetent as Peter MacKay can be allowed to serve in a position of
authority.
I agree with all the arguments being made about how Harper is tucking tail and running,
thumbing his nose at Parliament, ignoring the democratic will of the people. Andrew Coyne
is particularly irate, comparing Harper to King Charles I of England, and as a former
history major I certainly appreciate any columnist who draws amusing historical parallels.
Most columnists can't go back further than four years.
Really, though, as much as it saddens me, it doesn't really matter much. It's no
coincidence that this announcement came during the post-Christmas, pre-New Year week when
people are paying even less attention to politics than usual. And it's no coincidence it
comes on the same day the Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey roster is being unveiled. Wonder
which will lead the news tonight? Clearly, they're embarrassed and are trying to low-key
this thing.
Really, though, I don't know why they'd even bother. If Canadians didn't care when Harper
prorogued last December to avoid imminent defeat in the House of Commons, they certainly
won't care that he's doing it now for much less odious, although still suspect, reasons.
It just won't resonate. Frankly, I'm having a hard time mustering anything more than
pro-forma partisan indignation. Perhaps the Harper reign has numbed my sensitivities?
So sure, make the case about how Harper is thumbing his nose at democracy, turning tail
and hiding from parliament, and all that. But focusing all our righteous indignation
around making that argument and trying to rally Canadians in some kind of futile
anti-prorogation, respect for democracy crusade would be a waste of time, and ultimately
pointless.
Want to stop Harper? Get into a position where you have a reasonable prospect of defeating
him. Gain the confidence of Canadians as a credible and competent alternative to a
government they're not enamored with, but like slightly better than the current
alternatives.
The Liberals and Michael Ignatieff need to use these next two months as an opportunity to
get outside of the parliamentary chatterbox and connect with Canadians. Get out from the
scandal-of-the-day track that question period drives and talk about real issues that
matter to real people. Discuss our vision for the country. Talk about the economy and the
budget and our alternatives.
That's what will ensure Harper has to respect parliament and take it seriously: a
credible, strong opposition he won't be able to ignore. Right now, that's just not the
case.
So let's stop whining, get to work and play the long game here.